B Bagel Soho — Restaurant in London

I checked the website before leaving to see if it was open. I pushed the door and it was locked. The member of staff inside aggressively pointed at the door where there was a sign that said they open at 10. It was a lovely morning, so I decided to take a walk around Soho and returned a little after 10. This was the first time I visited the Soho store.

When I walked in the same aggressive staff member looked at me and just walked away leaving me standing there. So rude!!!. It's not like he went to do anything in particular he just wanted to make me wait. So I waited for a while (after having to queue for 10 mins outside due to number restrictions) and he finally returned after about 2-3 mins and served me but in a rushed and rude manner as if he just wanted my money and me out of the shop. I was offered no apology for making me wait. In fact he served me as if I was inconveniencing him!

I decided that this must have been a one off and ordered a couple of times online instead. I found that Bagels were not as soft or fresh when I ordered online and were much more fresh when I went to the store.

Yesterday, I visited again and the same dark haired staff member was there again and guess what? He looked at me and walked away from the till again as soon as I approached it. Why does he do this to me every time I come into the store? Does he not like his job? I just do not understand why a staff member would deliberately give such bad service and treat people who are practically paying their wage so poorly. Do the owners of the store know that their staff are behaving so poorly to paying customers? Do they care? Is this rude man the owner? The whole experience at B Bagel Bakery baffles me especially in a place like Soho which is traditionally very community based, quality of service often counts for a lot more than the quality of the food! There are other bagel shops that deliver fresher bagels and appreciate and respect their customers....

I was on the hunt for breakfast when I spotted B Bagel Bakery Bar, and the decision was instant. I’ve spent some time in New York and most mornings when I was there I would head to my local for a bagel and a schmear and a coffee and I’d sit in the park and figure out what the rest of that day would look like. These memories have given me a soft spot for bagels.

This time I went for the “Smoked Salmon + Cream Cheese Classic” and upgraded it to what the menu calls the “Fancy” option. The “Fancy” adds crisp cucumber, capers, dill and rocket. I went with the everything bagel and ordered a cappuccino and on one of the few stools at the inside counter.

But here’s the deal: the bagel was great. It was definitely “fancy” and more toppings than I’d normally go for, but the flavours were nice so if you like the mix of ingredients you’ll enjoy it. The coffee was also good and I would definitely come back.

The vibe at B Bagel is one of friendly but slightly chaotic efficiency - the family ahead of me ordered 4 bagels and got 8, but got a refund. The kitchen team were trying to smash together a bunch of platters and from the bits of back and forth I heard they were struggling to get the right ingredients together and hit the pick up time. I had flashbacks to when I started working in hospitality. In their defence, this is more of a come and grab a coffee and a bagel and bounce place than a sit-down and watch the magic kind of place.

Next time, I might explore more of their menu options, and then head to a nearby park, but the Fancy Salmon Bagel hit the spot. It all reminded me I’ve really got to get back to...

So disappointing, I live in close proximity to B Bagel and the family and I have in the last few months considered it a lucky find. Over the last few months we have spent 100s of pounds in this store buying all sorts from bagels to coffee and smoothies through delivery. However, today I wanted to visit to pick up a couple of items only to be greeted with the most terrible service! As I entered, the member of staff who was standing at the till and who clearly saw I needed assistance simply walked off into the back of the shop to do absolutely nothing. To my utter dismay the female member of staff who witnessed the whole thing simply smirked and looked the other way. After a few moments of awkward silence a third member of staff, a gentleman with an Italian accent witnessing the neglect was kind enough to ask me How I was, and if he could help? ... I was more than offended, I was hurt and felt insulted that I had spent so much of my hard earned money here only for the one day that I physically visit to be treated as if my custom was not valued. (especially when I was the only person in the shop with 3 staff members clearly free to serve me) No customer should be deliberately ignored or receive such appalling service. Their food is not so good that I will subject myself to that kind of treatment. I will be thinking twice before giving B Bagel Bakery Bar my...